Kirstie Alley Shares Weight Loss Secrets

Kirstie Alley reveals how she got off the weight-loss roller coaster for good.

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The Times

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Posted Dec. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 31, 2013 at 11:22 PM

Posted Dec. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 31, 2013 at 11:22 PM

Kirstie Alley has always lived a large lifeóand lived it publicly. In recent years, the actress who rose to fame on Cheers waged a highly visible battle with her weight, candidly discussing it in interviews and even creating a TV series loosely based on her struggles, Fat Actress.
But these days, the 62-year-old Alley, who returns to TV on Dec. 4 in TVLandís Kirstie, takes a more holistic approach to her health, prioritizing nutrition, activity and stress-free living without sweating every small gain.
ďI have decided for myself that spiritually, Iím happiest when Iím living a great, raucous life,Ē she says. "I've given myself that leeway."
Still, Alley, who says she lives for the holidays, has developed some key strategies for the seasonís many temptations, which she shares here, along with her fitness epiphanies, beauty secrets and more.
Spry: Do you have a strategy for parties?Kirstie: I eat before I go. I try to eat the good, healthy food that I know Iím supposed to eat before I ever walk out the door for a party, so that I donít†end up at a party hungry. But I like my cooking. I like home cooking way better than restaurant or party food.
Spry: Some say losing weight is easier than keeping it off. Have you found an answer to that?Kirstie: Before, Iíd think, ďWell Iím going to lose 20 pounds before the holiday season so I can eat everything I want to eat.Ē That attitude is really a recipe for disaster!
I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted†in huge quantities, but that all changed about†when I turned 53. What works for me now is to†eat 90 percent organic. Most days I eat no sugar and very little dairy. If I work out hard for an†hour a day, that keeps my metabolism boosted†and I can eat more. When Iím filming the show,†I donít always have the opportunity to exercise,†but Iíd always rather eat more calories and work out harder. That to me is a winning combination!
Spry: How do you gauge when itís time to cut back on calories or indulgences?Kirstie: I know Iím not going to live the life I want to live in a three-pound weight range! Thatís not real to me. I say my range is a 15-pound range. What I use as a barometer is five dresses I have, in the†size I look best at. If those dresses fit me, Iím fine. If they start getting too tight, then I know. But I also donít freak out about it anymore.
Spry: Decemberís a busy monthówhat do you do for quick, healthy meals?Kirstie: I make a great organic turkey chili. I like casseroles, too. I donít like a big slab of meat on a plate, so if Iím eating meat, I like bits of it in a casserole form. Even when itís really cold outside,†I love to make fish on the barbecue and then have fish tacos. I love chicken and rice. I also love soups. If I could only have one food for the rest of my life, it would be soup!
Spry: What do people compliment you on most?Kirstie: My skin. I think part of it is genetic and part is that I donít use soap or harsh chemicals on my face. I use organic coconut oil to take my makeup off, especially after filming. Itís amazing, cheap and it emulsifies your makeup in two seconds. It doesnít burn your eyes, either.
Spry: Any other beauty secrets?Kirstie: One of them is a lot of sleep. I make a concerted effort to have eight hours of sleep every night and, in an ideal world, I have nine. Also, what Iíve learned is if youíre spiritually and mentally happy, you will look awesome no matter what.
Spry: Youíve competed on Dancing With the Stars twice. Are you still dancing?Kirstie: Yes! My favorite workout is to dance, and even better with a partner. I like†Latin dances, so a little cha-cha, or tango, or salsa. I sometimes go to [Dancing With the Stars choreographer] Louis Van Amstelís class, LaBlas. Itís basically ballroom dancing without a partner. I love Zumba, tooóevery class I love centers around dancing. Iím sort of lazy at a gym. If youíre in a dance class, youíve got to keep up, especially if you have a partner!
Spry: What advice would you give someone still struggling with weight and body image?Kirstie: This is the way I look at it: If I reflect on five years ago, what am I thinking about? Where my kids and I went, what dude I was with. I donít think, ďHow much did I weigh?Ē
I like to encourage people to create the†life they want to live, because their life is†more important than their weight. And make discoveries. Iíve discovered all kinds of things I like to do. I like to jump on trampolines. I love to dance. Iíve arranged my life around what I like doing.
Brought to you by: Spry Living